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The fact is it can no longer be relied on to achieve our objectives. Over-saturation is making it unreliable in filtering nutrients, pathogens and other bacteria which therefore find their way into waterways and end up in our lake via Puarenga Stream. Over-saturation is also having an adverse impact on the land and the health of trees.

Regardless of the discharge method, we need increased capacity and capability at our wastewater treatment plant to cater for new growth and mitigate increasing extreme weather events.

What's proposed is the result of a thoroughly considered journey involving many people, including experts and iwi. We have carefully considered all options to arrive at a solution supported by most around the table.

The journey started October 2013 with a symposium attended by our then mayor and an elected council member, iwi leaders, district and regional council staff, scientific experts and farming, tourism, business and Lakes Water Quality Society representatives. Subsequent discussion and engagement was conducted in utmost good faith.

Protecting water quality, cultural values, the environment and public health have remained at the forefront of discussion, research, consideration, engagement and consultation.